Posted By On May 14, 2011 @ 11:31 am In Hockey,New York Rangers,NHL | 64 Comments

(ed. note: Just so there’s no confusion, not trying to plug the blog with that headline on top. …. I meant that Michael Russo’s blog was the best spot for Derek Boogaard insight, not Rangers Report.)

Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, who broke the story about Derek Boogaard being found dead in his apartment last night, is also probably the media member who knew him best from his days with the Wild. The two stayed in touch even during Boogaard’s injury-wrecked season with the Rangers.[1]

As you can see, we will continue to update here as things become available.

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Here is the statement from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman:

COMMISSIONER BETTMAN STATEMENT REGARDING DEREK BOOGAARD

NEW YORK (May 14, 2011) — Gary Bettman, commissioner of the National Hockey League, today released the following statement regarding the passing of New York Rangers forward Derek Boogaard:

“The news that we have lost someone so young and so strong leaves everyone in the National Hockey League stunned and saddened. The NHL family sends its deepest condolences to all who knew and loved Derek Boogaard, to those who played and worked with him and to everyone who enjoyed watching him compete.”

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Jesse Spector is reporting that the Minneapolis medical examiner’s office is saying it could take weeks for a cause of death to be determined.

So, just a suggestion, let’s not jump to conclusions or try to play doctor, OK? We all have some ideas of what might have happened, but until we know, we ought to keep those to ourselves.

[2] Here is Russo’s blog, in which he remembers Boogaard: http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/121826023.html

[3] here is Russo’s story in the Star-Tribune today.: http://www.startribune.com/sports/wild/121813554.html

[4] here is a feature story done by Kevin Clark for the Wall Street Journal back in September.: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703882404575520233621141518.html

[5] From Blueshirts United, here is video of Derek Boogaard’s only goal as a Ranger: http://blueshirtsunited.com/posts/410-video-boogaard-s-msg-goal

[6] Blueshirts United also has this photo gallery of Boogaard’s one season with the Rangers.: http://blueshirtsunited.com/posts/411-photos-derek-boogaard-as-a-ranger

[7] Here is Jesse Spector’s story from The Daily News: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hockey/rangers/2011/05/13/2011-05-13_new_york_rangers_derek_boogard_28_found_dead_in_his_minnesota_apartment_investig.html

[8] Blueshirts United has posted this video of Boogaard doing charity work: http://blueshirtsunited.com/posts/412-video-boogaard-shows-kids-new-york